Police believe a drug dealer and his wife who were shot dead in Co Armagh last night were murdered
by somebody they knew.
Hugh McGeough (56), a major drugs dealer, and his wife Jackie McCartney (44), could have been dead for up to seven hours before their bodies were discovered by her son Martin at their home in Craigavon, police said.
They had been shot at least once in a downstairs room of the house, which was fitted with bulletproof windows and doors.
Detectives said they had not established a motive for the shooting, but Mr McGeough, who was once jailed for nine years for wounding a teenager, had made a number of enemies in the criminal underworld because of his drugs links and record of violence.
Police tonight heightened security measures in the area because of fears there could be retaliatory attacks.
Chief Insp Richard Harkness, the detective heading up the investigation, said: “Someone’s past is no justification for this kind of execution.”
The couple had spent the weekend staying at a hotel in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, returning home early on Sunday afternoon.
Police said a man called on them at 9pm on Sunday night - a second man is thought to have waited in a car outside. Even though their bodies were not discovered until 6pm on Monday night, it is believed the couple could have been killed at 11am.
Detectives checked telephone records, and Mr McGeough did not answer any calls after that time. Ms McCartney’s son became concerned when his mother also failed to answer he phone.
Police also believe no shots were heard because of the reinforced glass and doors at the detached house at Legahory Court, Craigavon. There was no evidence of a struggle, and it seems the gunman was allowed into the house by the unsuspecting couple before he opened fire.
Insp Harkness said: “I believe they knew the person, or persons who murdered them. That is based on my crime scene assessment. I would hope there would not been any such escalation [of violence] in this area. We have no concerns and there is nothing to indicate that, but there will be a heightened police presence in the area for a number of days.
“There has been a lot of speculation which has not been helpful. What we need are facts and assistance from the local community.”
In February 2004 Mr McGeough was jailed for nine years when he was convicted of wounding Peter McNally (19), with intent in Craigavon in 2001. The teenager was was on the run from a young offender centre in Belfast.
SDLP councillor Michael McGoldrick, who is chairman of Craigavon District Policing Partnership, said the shooting was completely out of character for the area. “I am receiving phone calls and texts from right across the borough and outside. People are stunned by what has happened. These murderers have to be stopped and put behind bars for a very long time.”
PA